Devices for interconnecting plates

ABSTRACT

A device for interconnecting two adjacent spaced plates forming at least part of a wall, comprises a cover plate arranged on one side of the plates, a plurality of monobloc connectors arranged on the opposite side of the plates and a pair of channel members for each connector. The connectors are each in the form of a central member provided at each end with transverse flanges extending from opposite sides of the central member. The connectors each have a projection extending beyond the flanges into the space between the plates, the flanges and the projection defining between them a pair of opposed grooves. Each groove receives a limb of a channel member. Each projection is formed with a slot which divides the projection into two parts and receives and holds a complementary shaped rib on the cover plate. The minimum width of each groove is less than the thickness of its respective limb so that when the limbs are arranged in the grooves, the two parts of the projection are urged towards each other to grip the rib.

United States Patent Delcroix [54] DEVICES FOR INTERCONNECTING PLATES[72] Inventor: Andre Delcroix, 5, rue Pasteur, 59-Wattrelos, France [22]Filed: Dec. 3, 1970 [21] Appl. No.1 94,930

[52] U.S.Cl... ...52/46l,52/468,52/489 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04b 2/30, E04b2/60 [58] Field oiSearch ..52/46l,463,464, 468,488, 52/489 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,001,943 5/1935 Steeple ..52/4642,845,154 7/1958 Duffield ..52/464 3,028,938 4/1962 Schorr ..52/4643,376,676 4/1968 Tatevossian ..52/463 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS261,297 1/1950 Switzerland .....52/463 Primary Examiner-Henry C.Sutherland Att0rney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato [57] ABSTRACTA device for interconnecting two adjacent spaced plates forming at leastpart of a wall, comprises a cover plate arranged on one side of theplates, a plurality of monobloc connectors arranged on the opposite sideof the plates and a pair of channel members for each connector. Theconnectors are each in the form of a central member provided at each endwith transverse flanges extending from opposite sides of the centralmember. The connectors each have a projection extending beyond theflanges into the space between the plates, the flanges and theprojection defining between them a pair of opposed grooves. Each groovereceives a limb of a channel member. Each projection is formed with aslot which divides the projection into two parts and receives and holdsa complementary shaped rib on the cover plate. The minimum width of eachgroove is less than the thickness of its respective limb so that whenthe limbs are arranged in the grooves, the two parts of the projectionare urged towards each other to grip the rib.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,666

2 SheetsSheet '1.

Fig.1

Patented May 30, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 DEVICES FOR INTERCONNECTINGPLATES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to devices forconnecting together two adjacent plates arranged in the same place toform at least, a part of a wall, partition or the like.

As realized hitherto, such devices are very advantageous for assemblingplates together to form a wall or partition, in a simple and inexpensivemanner. In addition, the utilization of synthetic plastics material forparts of these devices has enabled a good acoustic and thermalinsulation to be obtained, as no metallic pieces need be in contact.

AIMS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is theprovision of an improved device for interconnecting plates. Inparticular, an object of the present invention is the provision of adevice for connecting together adjacentplates, which device isinexpensive to manufacture and quick to assemble and dismantle.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a device forinterconnecting two adjacent, spaced plates lying in substantially thesame plane and forming at least part of a wall, comprises a cover platepositioned on a first side of the plates and having surfaces forengaging a first side surface of each plate and a rib extending into thespace between the plates, a connector positioned on the opposite side ofthe plates and having a central web provided at one end with a pair oftransverse flanges extending from the flanges into the space between theplates, the projection being formed at its free end with a slot whichdivides the projection into two parts and receives said rib, theprojection and flanges defining between them two opposed grooves, and apair of channel members arranged one on each side of the connector, onelimb of each channel member engaging the second side surface of a plateand extending inwardly towards the connector, the free end of each limbengaging in a groove of the connector, the minimum width of each groovebeing less than the thickness of its respective limb so that when thelimbs are arranged in the grooves, the two parts of the projection areurged towards each other to grip the rib.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example, reference being made to the figures of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device made inaccordance with the invention; and

FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevational views showing different embodiments of thedevice in use.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown, a device forinterconnecting two plates 11, 12 comprises a cover plate to be clampedagainst one surface of the plates ll, 12, which form at least a part ofapanel, wall or partition, a connector 13, and a pair of metal channelmembers l6, 17 for engaging the opposite surface of the plates l1, 12.

The connector 13 is of monobloc construction and includes a central web18 having at each end flanges 19, 20 extending on opposite sides of theweb 18, and a projection 21. Grooves 23, 24 are provided between theprojection 21 and the flanges 19, 20, each groove receives a limb of ametal channel member 16, 17. These limbs are grooved at the innercorners at 26, 27 to receive ribs or hooks 28, 29 at the outer edges ofthe flanges.

The plates 11, 12 are applied against the limbs of the channel members16, 17.

The plates 11, 12 are clamped against the channel members 16, 17 by thecover plate 10 which serves to cover the joint between the plates 1 l,12.

The projection 21 is formed with a central slot 30 which has its openend towards the cover plate 10 and divides the projection 21 into twoseparate parts. Notches or grooves 31 are formed on both sides of theslot 30. The cover plate 10 carries a rib 32 which is provided withcomplementary notches or grooves. The notches enable the cover plate 10to be applied to walls 11, 12 of various thicknesses.

The cover plate 10 has ribs 34, 35 at its edges in which are formedgrooves 36, 37 which receive and hold flexible packing strips 38, 39which bear upon the walls 1 1, 12.

The projection 21 has outwardly projection ribs 40, 41 on opposite sidesagainst which the walls 11, 12 abut.

The projection 21 also has side surfaces 42, 43 which are divergent withtheir outer ends wider apart than the inner width between thesesurfaces. This enables, for example, window panes to be held temporarilywhile the cover plate 10 is being applied.

The ribs 40, 41 are provided with protuberances 44, 45 extending towardsthe flanges 19, 20, so that the distance between these protuberances andthe flanges 19, 20 is less than the thickness 46 of the limb of thechannel member 16, 17 engaged therein so that the two parts of theprojection 21 are urged towards each other so as to grip the rib 32 ofthe cover plate 10. Each of said parts is thus gripped between one ofsaid limbs and the rib 32.

As shown in FIG. 2 one of the channel members, viz. 17, is made shorterthan the cover plate 10 sufficiently to enable the connectors 13 to beslid off the channel members 16, 17. Thus the member 17 leaves gaps 48,49 for this purpose, the connectors 13 being shorter than these gaps.

In the alternative form shown in FIG. 3 the channel members 16, 17 arequite short and arranged at intervals over the length of the cover plate10 whereas the rib 32 of the cover plate is continuous over the lengthof the cover plate.

Thus it is not necessary to provide a wider vertical gap greater thanthat of the assembled walls for assembly or dismantling.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for interconnecting two adjacent, spaced plates lying insubstantially the same plane and forming at least part of a wall,comprising a cover plate positioned on a first side of the plates andhaving surfaces for engaging a first side surface of each plate and arib extending into the space between the plates, a connector positionedon the opposite side of the plates and having a central web provided atone end with a pair of transverse flanges extending from opposite sidesof the web, and a projection extending from the flanges into the spacebetween the plates, the projection being formed at its free end with aslot which divides the projection into two parts and receives said rib,the projection and flanges defining between them two opposed grooves,and a pair of channel members arranged one on each side of theconnector, one limb of each channel member engaging the second sidesurface of a plate and extending inwardly towards the connector, thefree end of each limb engaging in a groove of the connector, the minimumwidth of each groove being less than the thickness of its respectivelimb so that when the limbs are arranged in the grooves, the two partsof the projection are urged towards each other to grip the rib.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said connector and a channelmember, on at least one side the connector are shorter than the lengthof the cover plate to permit assembly and dismantling of the device bysliding the connector on and off the channel member lengthwise of thecover plate.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the channel members are formedas a plurality of separate parts, the parts being located at spacedpositions over the length of the space between the plates, the rib ofthe cover plate being continuous over the whole length of the coverplate.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the coverplate engaging the first surface of each plate are provided withgrooves, a flexible packing being provided in the grooves, said flexiblepacking having a surface for engaging said first surface of the plate.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the projection carriesoutwardly extending arms, each arm engaging the edge of a plate.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the projection has sidesurfaces which are divergent with their outer ends wider apart thantheir inner width between said surfaces.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein ribs are provided at the freeends of the flanges, said ribs engaging in complementary recesses formedin said limbs of the channel membets.

8. A device for interconnecting two adjacent, spaced plates lying insubstantially the same plane and forming at least part of a wall,comprising a cover plate positioned on a first side of the plates andhaving a pair of surfaces, each surface engaging a first side surface ofa plate adjacent the space between the plate and a rib extending intothe space between the plates, a plurality of monobloc connectorspositioned on the opposite side of the plates, each connector having acentral web provided at each end with transverse flanges extending fromopposite sides thereof and a projection extending into the space betweenthe plates, the projection being formed at its free end with a slotwhich divides the projection into two parts and receives a portion ofthe rib, the projection and flanges defining between them a pair ofopposed grooves, and a pair of channel members for each connectorarranged one on each side of the connector, one limb of each channelmember engaging the second side surface of a plate and extendinginwardly towards the connector, the free end of each limb engaging in agroove of the connector, the minimum width of each groove being lessthan the thickness of its respective limb so that when the limbs arearranged in the grooves, the two parts of the projection are urgedtowards each other to grip the rib.

1. A device for interconnecting two adjacent, spaced plates lying insubstantially the same plane and forming at least part of a wall,comprising a cover plate positioned on a first side of the plates andhaving surfaces for engaging a first side surface of each plate and arib extending into the space between the plates, a connector positionedon the opposite side of the plates and having a central web provided atone end with a pair of transverse flanges extending from opposite sidesof the web, and a projection extending from the flanges into the spacebetween the plates, the projection being formed at its free end with aslot which divides the projection into two parts and receives said rib,the projection and flanges defining between them two opposed grooves,and a pair of channel members arranged one on eaCh side of theconnector, one limb of each channel member engaging the second sidesurface of a plate and extending inwardly towards the connector, thefree end of each limb engaging in a groove of the connector, the minimumwidth of each groove being less than the thickness of its respectivelimb so that when the limbs are arranged in the grooves, the two partsof the projection are urged towards each other to grip the rib.
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, wherein said connector and a channelmember, on at least one side the connector are shorter than the lengthof the cover plate to permit assembly and dismantling of the device bysliding the connector on and off the channel member lengthwise of thecover plate.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the channelmembers are formed as a plurality of separate parts, the parts beinglocated at spaced positions over the length of the space between theplates, the rib of the cover plate being continuous over the wholelength of the cover plate.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein thesurfaces of the cover plate engaging the first surface of each plate areprovided with grooves, a flexible packing being provided in the grooves,said flexible packing having a surface for engaging said first surfaceof the plate.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the projectioncarries outwardly extending arms, each arm engaging the edge of a plate.6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the projection has sidesurfaces which are divergent with their outer ends wider apart thantheir inner width between said surfaces.
 7. A device according to claim1, wherein ribs are provided at the free ends of the flanges, said ribsengaging in complementary recesses formed in said limbs of the channelmembers.
 8. A device for interconnecting two adjacent, spaced plateslying in substantially the same plane and forming at least part of awall, comprising a cover plate positioned on a first side of the platesand having a pair of surfaces, each surface engaging a first sidesurface of a plate adjacent the space between the plate and a ribextending into the space between the plates, a plurality of monoblocconnectors positioned on the opposite side of the plates, each connectorhaving a central web provided at each end with transverse flangesextending from opposite sides thereof and a projection extending intothe space between the plates, the projection being formed at its freeend with a slot which divides the projection into two parts and receivesa portion of the rib, the projection and flanges defining between them apair of opposed grooves, and a pair of channel members for eachconnector arranged one on each side of the connector, one limb of eachchannel member engaging the second side surface of a plate and extendinginwardly towards the connector, the free end of each limb engaging in agroove of the connector, the minimum width of each groove being lessthan the thickness of its respective limb so that when the limbs arearranged in the grooves, the two parts of the projection are urgedtowards each other to grip the rib.